Beef Yakiniku Japanese Barbecue (Printable)

Savory grilled beef with fresh vegetables in authentic Japanese style

# What You Need:

→ Beef

01 - 1.1 pounds ribeye or sirloin beef, thinly sliced

→ Marinade

02 - 3 tablespoons soy sauce
03 - 2 tablespoons mirin
04 - 1 tablespoon sake
05 - 1 tablespoon sugar
06 - 1.5 tablespoons sesame oil
07 - 2 garlic cloves, minced
08 - 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
09 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
10 - 1 green onion, finely sliced

→ Vegetables & Accompaniments

11 - 1 small onion, sliced
12 - 1 bell pepper, sliced
13 - 3.5 ounces shiitake mushrooms, sliced
14 - 1 zucchini, sliced
15 - Cooked white rice, for serving

# Steps:

01 - Whisk together soy sauce, mirin, sake, sugar, sesame oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, sesame seeds, and sliced green onion in a mixing bowl until sugar dissolves completely.
02 - Add sliced beef to the marinade, tossing thoroughly to coat each piece. Let stand for at least 10 minutes at room temperature, or refrigerate for up to 1 hour for deeper flavor penetration.
03 - Preheat a grill pan or tabletop grill over high heat until smoking hot. The surface should be sufficiently hot to achieve quick searing and caramelization.
04 - Place marinated beef slices on the hot grill. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes per side until just cooked through and developing a caramelized exterior. Avoid overcooking to maintain tenderness.
05 - Arrange sliced onion, bell pepper, shiitake mushrooms, and zucchini on the grill alongside the beef. Cook until tender-crisp with appealing char marks, approximately 3 to 4 minutes.
06 - Transfer grilled beef and vegetables to a serving platter. Serve immediately alongside steamed white rice while hot.

# Expert Hints:

01 -
  • The marinade creates this perfect balance of sweet and salty that makes everyone reach for seconds
  • Everything comes together in under 30 minutes but tastes like you spent all day on it
  • You get to be the grill master right at your own dinner table
02 -
  • Do not overcrowd the grill or the meat will steam instead of getting that nice sear
  • Freeze the beef for 20 minutes before slicing if you are having trouble cutting it thin enough
  • The residual heat will continue cooking the meat, so pull it off slightly before you think it is done
03 -
  • Set up everything in small bowls on the table so everyone can grill their own pieces family style
  • Have a second batch of marinade ready if you want to double dip

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